POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 148, 18 March 1939, Page 5 (Supplement)

POULTRY NOTES

Some Aspects Of The Moult

SURVEY BY' AN EXPERT BREEDER

(By

New Laid.)

While certain general principles can be laid down concerning control of the moult it is not possible to say that by attention to every known detail —date of hatching, system of rearing, method of feeding, composition of ration, etc., a complete control can be exercised. Practical poultrymen and scientists have studied this problem for many years, but no system of complete'control has yet been evolved. In a general review of the moulting problem, F. C. Atkins, the .well-known English breeder, writes as follows in "Poultry” : . The moult can be influenced slightly' in certain directions, but it certainly cannot be abolished unless by doing away with the fowls at the end of their laying season. Nor is that at all a bad idea for the specialist egg-farmer when the full cost of the annual moult is taken into account. Ido not remember ever to have seen a figure placed on that annual charge, but it is certainly not a small one. To begin with, we can safely say that, on an average and in norma] circumstances, we lose not less than eight weeks’ supply of eggs from a layer while she is undergoing the refeathering process. We often hear of hens continuing to lay through the moult and, doubtless, it does sometimes happen. It, however, never applies to whole flocks; and as the few individuals which do not go right out of production probably lay only occasionally while moulting, making the whole thing a somewhat protracted process, it is not likely to add much to the credit side of the account. Similarly, some fowls come through much more rapidly than others, while there are seasons when the whole flock seems to* make a more rapid recovery, than it has done in other years. Nevertheless, in a general way a moulting fowl ceases to lay for not less than eight consecutive weeks. The cost of the moult, therefore, seems to be the value of eight weeks’ normal output of eggs, at summer or autumn prices, less a small credit on account of a rather smaller food consumption. On that basis I do not see how the net cost can be put at much less than 5/- a fowl. It seems colossal. Add to that the killing-off value of the about-to-moult hens and we get a figure which Should be sufficient to defray the full cost of a pullet to replace it. Of course, on many farms there are practical difficulties associated with the instant replacement of hens as they moult with ready-to-lay pullets. One cannot turn out young layerb at a few days’ notice, or find accommodation for a gradual stream of them unless one is specially equipped with that end in view. There is, therefore, bound to be some gap to bridge between the time when old hens are scrapped and the replacements come into production. One can sometimes influence the advent of the moult to a small degree, but one cannot rely on forecasting its arrival to the week. We generally reckon February to be the month -when the moult commences; but it Sometimes makes its appearance before December is out. Ot other times the fowls will lay late into May before shedding their feathers. Nor does this wide spread-over exhaust the possibilities so far as date-is concerned. Under certain abnormal conditions there are few, if any, months of the year when at least some moulting may not take place. Let us, however, consider only normal circumstances and ask ourselves whether an early or late moult suits us best. On specialist non-breeding farms there can be no doubt that the later the moult takes place the better it is for the owner. To vary an old proverb, "An egg in the basket is worth two in the hen.” I have not the least doubt it is a better proposition to attempt to keep fowls in lay than it is to plump for an early moult in the hope that they will be through and again in full production by the autumn when egg prices, are at their highest. A deliberatelv forced moult is occasionally advocated for that purpose; but it is apt to prove a disappointment. It is not hard to compel layers to moult rather early in the season. Reduced feeding and other induced, hardships, such as moving them about, will quickly check laying, when the moult is almost sure to follow. It is a far more difiicult process to secure the anticipated winter eggs from hens so treated. It is by no means unknown for them to drop into a further partial moult at the critical time, or else to be unusually slow in getting into their laying stride again. A forced moult ds verv much a gamble and the odds look singularly unattractive to me. Moulting Breeding Stock.

For all that, it is something of an advantage for future breeding stock to undergo the moult reasonably early. A very late moult means that the stock cannot be ready until July is in, if then; and this would not suit the book of most moylern breeders. I must admit I anticipate a good supply o_f eggs from ray breeding hens in June and quite a useful output at least a month earlier. This means that the moult must be well in evidence before February is very far advanced, and in full swing a month later. Nevertheless, I do not believe in actually forcing a moult. Qn the other hand, I do not discourage it. In fact, I do not hesitate to commence cleaning and overhauling their houses much earlier than I should do if I wished to keep the stock out of the moult as late as possible. They are, however, not neglected or underfed. The result probably is that they refeather close to the natural time. One advantage of a prompt moult is that the fowls generally come through in reasonably quick time and seem to feel the strain rather less than they would otherwise do. It is the late-moult-ing stock which seem to suffer most, losing most of their feathers within a few days and getting into a somewhat collapsed condition. This is specially so with light breed fowls; and, under present conditions, I should feel very little tempted to try to bring such a flock through in order to keep them on a second season —that is, of course, if commercial eggs were the objective. Fowls differ individually to a marked extent with regard to the moult. Some fall very early victims while others resist it to the last. Similarly some come through quickly with very little trouble; others are slow, and yet others fail to come through at all. This is a nuisance, since it is apt to mean that some moulting is going on in the flock for from four ■to five months, during which time the egg-yield is below par. It is generally thought that the later moulters are the best fowls and my observations certainly confirm that belief. At one time it was usual to select them for breeding purposes when trapnests were dispensed with. The principle is doubtless sound, but the difficulty is that their eggs are not forthcoming early enough for modern hatching requirements.

The Pullet Moult. Egg producers du not welcome any sort o£ moult; they particularly take objection to the pullet moult, since there is a touch of abnormality about it. Of course, one regards it as almost inevitable with very early-hatched pullets; but with the not-so-early broods there is always the hope that it will be avoided. The pullet moult so often upsets the applecart, so I prefer to have exceptionally early batches, if I cannot get all my pullets out at just the ideal time. One then hits the consolation of a good number of spring and summer eggs, with a prospect of getting the partial moult over before the autumn has completely faded into winter. A pullet moult is often referred to as a “ne'ck-moult” and is sometimes actually confined to that area, and of short duration. That, however, usually occurs with only slightly early-hatched pullets which have just failed to escape entirely. Far more often the moult is a complete and thorough one. indistinguishable from the ordinary annual moult.

Earlier -I referred to deferring the moult as long as possible, and this is really solely a matter of Ordinary good management. There is no special secret

about it; but the poultry-farmer who personally cares for his layers, or who puts them under the individual charge of a single employee, is the more likely to accomplish it. On very large farms, where a considerable number of different hands attend the stock for various purposes, the flock is never so docile and tame; consequently, the fowls are far more liable to sustain checks and to indulge in premature moults. I have noticed in recent years, since I have spent more time among my layers, how much quieter they are than when their care was shared between a number of employees. They are now so friendly as to be almost a nuisance —it is difficult to avoid tripping over them!

Hens are not likely to moult before their time as long as they are happy and contented and carefully nourished. It does not entail special feeding as much as care in feeding. Briefly put, this means giving them as much as they can consume without losing their eagerness for the next meal. Over-generosity with the food bucket is a grave mistake, since nothing puts fowls more off their food.

Pullets Egg Size. Now that the pullets are beginning to lay, many very small eggs are being offered for sale and the price of such eggs has to be shaded as against that asked for eggs in the vicinity of 2oz. Some pullets take months after starting to lay to produce standard 2oz. eggs, and others reach the desired size in a matter of weeks. Some poor strains in the different breeds never succeed in producing standard size eggs. The pullet that reaches the 2oz. size in a few weeks and whose eggs vary least in size from day to day is, provided she has the requisite constitution, the type to be marked as suitable for the breeding pen.

Colour Changes in Moult. Strange changes take place in colour and markings of certain breeds after the first moult. Buffs are often lighter in colour. Rhode Island Reds may become light .and patchy, Light Sussex may have greyness instead of black in tail markings, Anconas become too mottled or “gay.’’ The pullet that moults and retains its original colour and markings remains a sure winner and tip-top breeder.—‘Poultry.”

EGG-LAYING RESULTS Massey College Eighth Contest Ends Special prizes will be awarded for the eighth annual Massey College egg-lay-ing contest which concluded at Massey College, Palmerston North, on March 14. The competition lasted for 50 weeks. Only those entries qualifying under the egg-weight regulations are eligible for prizes:— Single Pen Sections. Single Pen Cup, for the highest individual total, to Mr. F. S. Alien’s, Levin, White Leghorn, 291 eggs. Runner-up to Single Pen Cup, in opposite section, Mr. L. Mason's, Wellington, Rhode Island Red, 209 eggs. Teams’ Sections. Golden Egg Trophy, for the highest score, both sections, to Mr. W. A. Larsen's, Feilding, Australorp team, with 1023 eggs. Breeder’s Trophy, for the most points in all teams for eggs and breed points, to Mr. W. A. Larsen’s, Feilding, Australorp team, with 1023 eggs. Silver Egg Trophy, for runner-up to Golden Egg Trophy, in opposite section, to Mr. J. Wilson’s, Carterton, White Leghorn team, wit'h 1021 eggs. Other Special Awards. The Lord Greenway Cup, to the team of Rhode Island Reds laying the greatest number of eggs, to Mr. G. A. Edge’s, Carterton, Rhode Island Reds, with 1222 eggs. The Red Club's Rose Bowl, to the individual Rhode Island Red (all sections), laying the highest number of eggs, to Mr. G. A. Edge’s, Carterton, Rhode Island Red, with 272 eggs. Silver Hen Trophy, to the highest individual Leghorn fall sections), laying the highest number of. eggs, to Mr. H. A. Lucas’s, Wellington, White Leghorn, with 303 eggs. Highest Individual Total in All Sections of All Breeds, to Mr. W. A. Larsen's (Feilding, Australorp, with 308 eggs. Certificates of Merit will be awarded to: L. Mason, 1; W. A. Larsen, 2; F. S. Allen, 2; J. A. Annan, 1; A. G. Mumby, 2; Ancona Stud Poultry Farm, 1; Mrs. M. M. Chapman, 1; W. F. Stent, 1; E. W. Stephenson, 1; L. G. Hooper, 1; G. A. Edge, 1; J. Wilson, 1; ,T. Mold, 1; F. Ecob, 1; Cotswold Poultry Farm, 1; and H. A. Lucas, 1.

Final Week’s Results The final week’s results In the Massey College eighth annual egg-laying contest are SINGLE PEN'S. Section B.—Mrs. R. Willers, 8.0., (-1) 2S7x; L. Mason, R.1.R., No. 2 (2) 269; W. A. Larsen A. 0., (0) 250; K, Mullins, R.1.R., (3) 240; S. T. Bason, Lang., No. 1 (6) 233; L. Mason, R.1.R., No. 1 (1) 223; E. H. Berger, 8.0., (0) 211; S. T. Bason Lang, No. 3 (5) 209; Mrs. M. M. Chapman, W.W., (3) 105; S. T. Bason, Lang., No. 2 (0) 187: S. Wilkinson, R.1.R., 175(1; J. D. Rowlands, R.1.R., CO)' 173; T. Dowthwaite, B. (0) 152. „ , Section A. —F. S. Allen, W.L., No. 4 (G) 292 x; F. S. Allen, W.L., No. 3 (5) 291; J. A. Annan, W.L., (5) 2SS; A. G. Muinby, WL’ No. 2 (5) 2SI; Ancona Stud Poultry Farm, W.L., (5) 271; Mrs. M. M. Chapman, W.L., No. 1 (6) 271; A. G. Mumby, W.L. No. 3 (5) 259; W. F. Stent, W.L., No. 2 (5) 253; T. E, Ker, W.L., No. 2 (5) 249; P. Mummery, Min., (3) 243; F. S. Allen, W.L., No. 1 (5) 242 x; F. S. Allen, W.L., No. 2 (4) 239; F. Ecob, W.L., No. 1 (2) 23i; A. A. Hoare, W.L., No. 2 (4 ) 228; A. G. Mumby. W.L., No. 1 (2) 217; A. A. Hoare, W.L., No. 1 (4) 21a; W. F. Stent, W L No 3 (5) 209; Mrs. M. M. Chapman, W.L., No. 2 (5) 203; F. Ecob. W.L. No. 3 (41 194; F. Ecob, W.L.. No. 4 192 d; A. G. Mumby, W.L., No. 4 (0) 176; 1. Lcob, IV.L. No. 2160 d; H. Polson, W.L., (0) 144; T. E. Ker, W.L., No. 1 (0) 121 r; W. F. Stent, IV.L., No. 1 116 d. TEAMS RESULTS. Section -D. W. A. Larsen. A. 0.: 281, 261, 308, 227, 250, 296 ( 22) 1623. , ~, E. W. Stephenson, A.O. : 217, 23J. —o, 198, 204 , 242 x (17) 1326. . L G. Hooper, B.O.: 219. 211 s. 1,4>. -’7l, 238, 226 ( 29) 1321, , G. A. Edge, R.1.R.: 194, Hod. 249, 272, 236, 156<1 (16) 1222. Miss E. T. Somer, R.1.R.: 16,ix. ISO, 221, 231. 194 x, 192 (12) 1183. Section C. ,1 Wilson, W.L.: 250, 263, .273 , 292. 263, 280 (31) 1621. , F S Allen, W.L.: 279, 241 x. 282, 276 X, 218. 241 (23) 1537. , J. Mold, W.L.: 230, 268, 268 x, 2u4, 242, "°F? Eeolb W/L.: 301, 205 r. 236. 266, 258, W.L.: 159 d, 195 r, 249, 241, 26m 293 . 303 j 2(J5, 260, 251 r, 163 145 d (20) 1387. r Replacement, x, Disqualified because of egg-weight clause, d, Bird dead. TARANAKI COMPETITION Though the Taranaki Egg-Laying Society’s eleventh competition ended on '.March’ 8, some birds were showing such high results that It has been decided to record their progress for 52 weeks The results of the fifty-first week, ended March 15, are: — _ _ T • _ Oin Langshans: S. T. Basou, No. T, □•dll, No. 2 7-259, No. 3 6-249. Three-bird teams, fowls, heavy breeds: S T. Bason, Langshans, No. 1 5, No. 2 7.’ No. 3 6; weekly total, 18; whole total, 819. ’ . ’ i v. Fawn and white Indian runner duck. Mrs. A. W. Revell, No, 2 7-337.